It Is Sufficient
God's grace is already sufficient for us, and we must believe in its reality to experience its power.
Charles E. Cowman shares a personal experience of facing deep trial and loss, leading him to preach on the meaning of trial to his congregation. Reflecting on 2 Corinthians 12:9, he realizes the power of God's grace being already sufficient, not needing to ask for more but to believe in its reality. This revelation transforms his perspective on prayer and reliance on God's provision, inspiring him to live in the truth of God's promises each day.
Text
"IS" (2 Cor. 12:9).
It had pleased God to remove my youngest child under circumstances of peculiar trial and pain; and as I had just laid my little one's body in the churchyard, on return home, I felt it my duty to preach to my people on the meaning of trial.
Finding that this text was in the lesson for the following Sabbath, I chose it as my Master's message to them and myself; but on trying to prepare the notes, I found that in honesty I could not say that the words were true; and therefore I knelt down and asked God to let His grace be sufficient for me. While I was thus pleading, I opened my eyes and saw a framed illuminated text, which my mother had given me only a few days before, and which I had told my servant to place upon the wall during my absence at the holiday resort where my little one was taken away from us.
I did not notice the words on returning to my house; but as I looked up and wiped my eyes, the words met my gaze, "My grace is sufficient for thee."
The "is" was picked out in bright green while the "My" and the "thee" were painted in another color.
In one moment the message came straight to my soul, as a rebuke for offering such a prayer as, "Lord, let Thy grace be sufficient for me"; for the answer was almost as an audible voice, "How dare you ask that which is?" God cannot make it any more sufficient than He has made it; get up and believe it, and you will find it true, because the Lord says it in the simplest way: "My grace is (not shall be or may be) sufficient for thee."
"My," "is," and "thee" were from that moment, I hope, indelibly fixed upon my heart; and I (thank God) have been trying to live in the reality of the message from that day forward to the present time.
The lesson that came to me, and which I seek to convey to others, is, Never turn God's facts into hopes, or prayers, but simply use them as realities, and you will find them powerful as you believe them.--Prebendary H. W. Webb Peploe
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercies,
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
--Annie Johnson Flint
Sermon Outline
- I. The Sufficient Grace of God
- A. God's grace is not something we need to pray for
- B. It is a reality that we can believe in
- C. We must not turn God's facts into hopes or prayers
- II. The Sufficiency of God's Grace in Trials
- A. God gives more grace when burdens grow greater
- B. He sends more strength when labors increase
- C. He adds His mercies to added affliction
- III. The Endless Supply of God's Grace
- A. His love has no limit
- B. His grace has no measure
- C. His power has no boundary known unto men
Key Quotes
“My grace is sufficient for thee.” — Charles E. Cowman
“How dare you ask that which is?” — Charles E. Cowman
“His love has no limit, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men;” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Believe in the reality of God's facts and use them as realities in your life.
- Remember that God's full giving is only begun, and He will give you more strength when you need it.
- Trust in God's love and grace, knowing that it has no limit and no measure.